What Our Readers Are Saying

Average customer rating based on 3 comments:

Edward Hahn, June 23, 2013 (view all comments by Edward Hahn)
I am an unabashed Cornwell admirer. In addition to the Richard Sharpe series, I have read all the titles in the Saxon Chronicles Series. This particular title is one of the best. Uthred, is faced with a number of dilemmas. He continues to practice the Viking religion he was taught as a child even though he serves a king, Alfred, who is an extremely devout Christian. He has an ongoing love affair with Aethelred, the king's sister, who is married to another Noble. He has little wealth even though he must support his own warriors. Alfred is dying and wants Uthred to pledge his loyalty to his son Edward, the heir.

How Uthred works his way through these dilemmas comprises the plot: exciting as always. As many reviewers have said, Cornwell writes the best battle scenes in historical fiction. This battles in this book are no exception. I particularly enjoyed the description of the tension between Uthred and various priests and bishops which is a major backdrop throughout the story.

The really good news is that there will be another book in the series coming in the future.

Keith Campbell, January 30, 2013 (view all comments by Keith Campbell)
Another incredible addition to this series by Bernard Cornwell. This is such a quick read series because it's quite difficult to pull yourself away from the story. Uhtred, once again finds himself in so many dilemmas and decisions, that you find yourself offering resolves, just to see him hurry up and get back to his homeland to rule. Cornwell is the master of pulling you in with incredible characters, unpredictable plots and landscape images that send you across the ocean only to land in the midst of an onslaught of battle and bloodlust. A definite must read!!

Keith Campbell, September 18, 2012 (view all comments by Keith Campbell)
Another incredible addition to this series by Bernard Cornwell. This is such a quick read series because it's quite difficult to pull yourself away from the story. Uhtred, once again finds himself in so many dilemmas and decisions, that you find yourself offering resolves, just to see him hurry up and get back to his homeland to rule. Cornwell is the master of pulling you in with incredible characters, unpredictable plots and landscape images that send you across the ocean only to land in the midst of an onslaught of battle and bloodlust. A definite must read!!

"Synopsis"
by Harper Collins,
In a clash of heroes, the kingdom is born.

As the ninth century wanes, Alfred the Great lies dying, his lifelong goal of a unified England in peril, his kingdom on the brink of chaos. Though his son, Edward, has been named his successor, there are other Saxon claimants to the throne&#8212;as well as ambitious pagan Vikings to the north.

Torn between his vows to Alfred and the desire to reclaim his long-lost ancestral lands in the north, Uhtred, Saxon-born and Viking-raised, remains the king's warrior but has sworn no oath to the crown prince. Now he must make a momentous decision that will forever transform his life and the course of history: to take up arms&#8212;and Alfred's mantle&#8212;or lay down his sword and let his liege's dream of a unified kingdom die along with him.

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